Student Scholarship Program

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. General Questions
  2. Securing a Sponsoring Legislator
  3. About the Essay
  4. NFWL Annual Conference and Travel
  5. Eligibility
  6. Letters of Recommendation

General Questions

  • Q: I can't find the verification form, can you send me one?
    A: The verification form is a part of the complete application (PDF). If you have problems downloading it, please email the Scholarship Committee at scholarships@womenlegislators.org to receive a copy by e-mail or postal mail.
  • Q: Am I supposed to fax or mail the verification form before I send in the application?
    A: Yes. You must send your Verification Form in by fax or postal mail PRIOR to submitting your full application. This allows for the Committee to have a record of your interest and to follow up with you closer to the scholarship deadline date. If you are submitting your essay very close to the deadline, just include the Verification Form with your completed application.
  • Q: I can't access the Scholarship from the website / I can't find the application
    A: If you have problems downloading the application (PDF), please email the Scholarship Committee at scholarships@womenlegislators.org to receive a copy by e-mail or postal mail.
  • Q: How do I know my application is complete?
    A: Your application will be considered complete as long as you send the following:
    1. your essay
    2. two (2) letters of recommendation
    3. verification form with
      1. The name of your sponsoring woman legislator
      2. Your mailing address
      3. The fastest way to notify you if you win - at least one (preferably all three): an email address, a telephone number, and a fax number.

    The Scholarship Committee recommends sending each item of your application at once rather than sending your essay and letters of recommendation under separate cover.

  • Q: How many students enter the contest each year?
    A: Last year, nearly 200 students entered the contest. We expect similar interest this year. Entries come from all 50 states.

Securing a Sponsoring Legislator

  • Q: Does my sponsoring legislator have to be a woman?
    A: Yes. While NFWL does include male legislators in its events, for this special scholarship contest, the sponsor must be a woman.
  • Q: I can't find a sponsoring legislator, can you help?
    A: Before calling the NFWL office, please follow these steps to find a woman legislator in your state. Locate the names of women legislators from your area by searching online (example: www.state.fl.us for Florida) or by calling your state capitol building. Note: Once you have chosen a legislator, it is important to call and speak with someone in that legislator's office rather than simply sending an email because legislators receive many, many emails. Explain to the legislator's assistant that you are interested in applying for the NFWL-NRA Bill of Rights scholarship and that you need a legislator to sponsor you. If the legislator agrees to sponsor you, she must provide her contact information, which you then insert in the Verification form. The legislator must agree to come with you to the entire Annual Conference which will be held October 11-15 in Louisville, Kentucky. She will present the scholarship to you at the Conference if you are chosen as a winner. There are no other requirements for the sponsoring legislator.
  • Q: Can my sponsor be a city council member, mayor, US Senator, Congresswoman?
    A: No. Your primary sponsor must be a woman state legislator - if you have a local or federal legislator already interested in sponsoring you, you must find a state co-sponsor.
  • Q: Can one legislator sponsor more than one girl?
    A: Yes. A legislator can sponsor as many students as want to enter from her district.
  • Q: Does my sponsor have to be a current legislator?
    A: Yes.

About the Essay

  • Q: Who should I write about?
    A: You can focus your essay on one woman, more than one woman, a group or organization of women, or women as a whole during the women's suffrage movement. See the complete application for suggestions about groups or individuals to focus your essay on.
  • Q: Will I "lose points" if I do/don't write about an example you list?
    A: No. We will be looking for four specific elements in submissions: 1) story-telling ability, especially expressive and dramatic stories, 2) inspiration your essay creates in its audience, 3) a clear understanding of the Bill of Rights, and 4) original insight, particularly in the way you choose to apply your essay topic to the Bill of Rights.

NFWL Annual Conference and Travel

  • Q: If I am chosen to receive a scholarship, is my trip to the Conference paid for?
    A: Yes, but you must agree to attend the entire conference which will be held in November this year (location TBD). You will share a room with another contestant unless your parents or family members choose to join you.
  • Q: If I am chosen to receive a scholarship, is my sponsor's trip to the Conference paid for?
    A: Yes, but your woman state legislator sponsor must agree to attend the entire conference which will be held in November this year (location TBD).
  • Q: Are my parents able to attend the Annual Conference if I win?
    A: Yes, but they must pay their own way. They will be responsible for their airfare and half of the hotel room, which they will share with you.
  • Q: My sponsor cannot attend the Annual Conference. Can she still sponsor me?
    A: No. The one obligation your sponsor has is to attend to the Annual Conference. If she already knows that she absolutely cannot attend, you should find another sponsor.

Eligibility

  • Q: Am I eligible?
    A: To be eligible for this year's essay contest, applicants must be college-bound female high school juniors or seniors - from either the Class of 2008 or the Class of 2009.
  • Q: I am not a US Citizen. Am I still eligible?
    A: As long as you are attending college in the US and you and your legislative sponsor can attend the Annual Conference which will be held in November this year (location TBD), you are eligible.

Letters of Recommendation

  • Q: Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
    A: Ask someone who knows you well. When deciding on whom to ask for a letter of recommendation, think of people in your life who are most familiar with you and your achievements. Consider asking a teacher, coach, school counselor, employer, or adult family friend.

If you have a question that is not listed here, please check the other FAQs. If you cannot find an answer, please e-mail NFWL at scholarships@womenlegislators.org.